Tadepalli, April 7: Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has issued a strong critique of the current coalition government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, for neglecting the state’s aquaculture sector and the plight of farmers. Taking to the X,, YS Jagan questioned why the government remains inactive while the aquaculture industry faces a severe crisis, particularly with shrimp prices plummeting from Rs. 280 to Rs. 200-210 per 100-count and continuing to decline further. He alleged that traders linked to the ruling party have formed a syndicate, exploiting farmers under the pretext of American tariffs, while the government fails to intervene or conduct a state-level review to address the falling prices and take decisive action. YS Jagan emphasized that merely writing a letter to the central government and washing their hands of responsibility is unjustifiable when farmers are in distress.
He further highlighted the broader agricultural crisis under the coalition government, stating that since it assumed power, crops such as paddy, cotton, tobacco, chili, pulses, bananas, and tomatoes have lacked remunerative prices, with middlemen exploiting farmers’ hard work while the government remains indifferent. He accused the administration of evading accountability by launching counterattacks instead of addressing the issues responsibly, a pattern he claims is now evident in the aquaculture sector as well.
Pointing to his tenure, YS Jagan noted that Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture sector, a national leader in exports and foreign exchange earnings, was bolstered by the establishment of the Aquaculture Development Authority, which regulated seed and feed prices, ensured quality through special legislation, and curbed exploitative syndicates. For the first time in the state’s history, his government fixed shrimp prices, setting a minimum of Rs. 210 per 100-count during the COVID-19 period five years ago, reduced feed prices three times, and supported farmers as a pillar of strength.
YS Jagan contrasted this with the current scenario, where, despite a reduction in import duties on raw materials like fish oil and soybeans from 15% to 5%, feed prices have not decreased by even a paisa under the coalition government, despite the existence of a regulatory board established during his tenure. He also recalled expanding the aquaculture zone from 80-90,000 acres under Naidu’s previous term to 4.22 lakh acres during his administration, providing electricity at Rs. 1.50 per unit to 54,000 of the 64,000 connections in the sector, backed by a Rs. 3,640 crore subsidy. Additionally, his government appointed fisheries graduates as aqua assistants in Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) to assist farmers and resolve issues promptly, a system he claims the current regime has dismantled, thereby damaging a highly profitable sector.
In a direct appeal to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, YS Jagan demanded him to immediately announce fixed prices for shrimp to halt the price collapse, and take stringent action against those exploiting farmers under the guise of America’s tariffs. He stressed that these tariffs are not unique to India and will persist, rendering the government’s approach of merely writing letters inadequate. YS Jagan concluded by questioning the purpose of a government that fails to support its farmers and protect a vital industry like aquaculture.
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